The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-17
INDIANA AND ILLINOIS NEWS
The Reeves Brothers Arrested and Held
for the Killing Of Cox and Gardner.
town-Damage Suit Compromised-News-
paper Man MISUNDERSTANDING.
INDIANA.
The Reeves Desporadoes Identified in Ken
rucky-They Will Be Tried for Murder.
Special TO the lndiapapolis Journax.

The Reeves Desporadoes Identified in Ken
rucky-They Win Be Tried for Murder
Special TO the indianapolis Journal
TERRE HAUTE Dee. 16-On June /, 1885,
Robert Reeves and his two sons. John and
George, the two latter having been for years
residents of this city. where they bore hard
reputation. murdered two deputy sheriffs, John
Gardner and William Cox near Jasper, Dubois
county, this State There had been an indict-
ment returned in Martin county, two years be-
fore the killing, against John and George
Reeves for grand larceny, but for some reason
but little, if any effort, was made to arrest
them. Finally, the warrant was sent to Sheriff
Cox, of Jasper, Dubois county, to be served.
He swore in his brother, VIM. Cox and John
Gardner. deputy sheriffs, to make the
rest, and they set about to capture them. The
boys were with their father on farm near
Jasper. On Monday, June /, 1885, old man
Reeves and his boys started for Jasper The
old man went into the town, but the boys re-
manned on the outskirts. The deputy sheriffs.
knowing this. arrested the two young despera-
does, and started into town with their prison
ers being accompanied by old man Reeves.
Gardner, in some manner, displayed revolver,
and the old man said to him, '"That is pretty
pistol you have there; let me look at it."
man opened fire. the boys attacked the deputies
at the same time and Frustrated them, taking
their reyolvers from them. Seven shots were
fired altogether. After doing the shooting the
Reeveses went through the pockets of the pros
trated deputies, took what money they had, and
then took the deputies horses and rode off
making their escape. Gardner died the next day,
and Cox fingered few days longer The muir
der created the most intense excitement. and
the capture of the murderers, $500 for one, 5000
for two, and $500 for the three. This reward is
payable at the Jasper Bank. ten days after the
arrests.
On Monday, Captain vandever of the city
police force, received a telegram from Knox
vile, signed g. w. Reeves. telling him to come
to Knoxville; KY, with requistion papers. This
was followed yesterday by a telegram from the
chief of police. at Knoxville, saying that g. w.
Reeves alias Clark, was one.of five safe blowers
in Jail awaiting requisition for robbery and
arson, at Tomkinsville, Ky. Captain Vandever
telegraphed ohold Reeves, and received word to
Get requisition for G.. W. Reeves and John
Reeves, and come immediately" The addition
of John Reeves's name to this dispatch showed
that John was no doubt in Jail with George. and
that John has just revealed his identity to the
Knoxville chief. Captain Vandever said: 1T.
of course, looks strange that George should
have revealed his identity to me in his tele-
gram, but [ think an explanation can easily be
found for it. George knew that if he was taken
to Kentucky on the safe-blowing charge, he
would sooner or later be identified, and it would
be better here than there; again. it is claimed
his father is dead. If that be so. George and
John will both swear that the old man did
the killing, to get out
of it themselves. ] understand however,
that both of the murdered men made ante
mortem statements connecting the boys with
the murder. / know the whole lot we'll, they
a tough gang. The old man and John served
terms in the Jeffersonville prison for counter
feiting. about ten years ago. They were sent up
from Shoals Ind, for two years apiece. Rob
ert Reeves. the father, never lived here within
my recollection. He and his wife were divorced
ten or twelve years ago. and she lived here until
she moved away, year ago. John is
about thirty-five and George about twenty
eight wears old.